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So, we give the Air Force jurisdiction over all areas in space where there is air. And the Space Force jurisdiction over all areas in space that are just space.

Now... we need to define what atmospheric conditions qualify as "air" and how much of a lack of atmosphere qualifies as "space" and we'll have this sort out by lunch.

There has been a great deal of joking and laughing about the whole Space Force thing -- not only here, but pretty much everywhere. I'm wondering, though, how much of that is because this is coming from Trump's administration, who really can't do anything without eliciting either scoffing or outrage. Or both. Usually it's deserved.

That said, I ask: if someone less controversial and more generally respected (like Obama or Bush senior, or almost any of the other primary candidates from the 2016 cycle) had proposed something like this "Space Force" what would your response be?

This question is not intended to be a defense of "Space Force" -- I cant even type it without laughing a little. I'm just curious and think its interesting and fun to talk about potential details of a space-oriented security and military presence. With space tourism becoming a real thing now or very soon and privatized missions to and perhaps colonization of Mars (which could require the development of staging areas that included on-site populations), it kind of seems like something along the lines of "Space Force" might be necessary, in some fashion or form.

I think we are underselling the Coast Guard here. Low Earth orbit is kind of like the planetary coast, no?

We should just let the Bruce Willis' roughnecks take care of it!


You don't have go all the way to "military presence" to see the need for something outside of NASA. Who is going to police, inspect, and provide support for (even rescue if we get to that point) civilian space tourism? When we have a constant colonized presence outside of our atmosphere -- which really isn't THAT far away -- who is going oversee that? NASA isn't a law enforcement agency nor is it a governing body. It's not all that different than saying, "why do we need a military presence of earth when we have the State Department?" The Earth should be peaceful place! Or, a different approach, "why do we need the FBI to enforce laws when we have the House & Senate to make laws?"

Who is going to police, inspect, and provide support for (even rescue if we get to that point) civilian space tourism? When we have a constant colonized presence outside of our atmosphere -- which really isn't THAT far away -- who is going oversee that?

Off world colonization is nowhere in sight and space tourism will remain an insignificant lark for the very rich indefinitely.

What we do have is the Air Force space command with satellite tracking, ICBM stuff, etc. which seems to have excited Trump with thoughts of spaceships with guns.

Space tourism sounds cool in theory, but isn't it a controlled environment? You get to look out a small window at the earth and stars and experience weightlessness while drinking Tang. The rocket ride would be unique. Other than that, it seems like an experience that can pretty much be simulated here on earth.

A rocket ride and Tang? I'm sold even without the weightlessness and ability to look out of a window at the Earth. Who do I give my millions to?

Seriously though, I do get what you are saying about replicating the experience of looking out of the window here on Earth. I would have said the same thing not too many years ago but then I saw the Grand Canyon (just a hole in the ground, I've seen pictures before) and the eclipse last year (once again, I've seen pictures, who cares) in person. Those two experiences completely changed my attitude. Seeing those in person and not just in pictures or video was truly awe inspiring. When we walked up to the rim of the Grand Canyon, my mind almost broke, pictures and video just do not do it justice.

I'd have to imagine that seeing the Earth from orbit would be an even more amazing experience. If I had the means, I would do anything I could to get up there.